There has been significant progress in the harvest over the last seven days, with excellent harvesting conditions in most areas over the weekend.

Progress was slower in the northwest and across Northern Ireland, where ground conditions were an issue. However, across the southern half of the country and the northeast, combines got rolling on Thursday and have only lost half a day (on Tuesday) since.

Listen to an interview with Co Donegal tillage farmer Jamie Rankin in our podcast below:

The grain harvest is therefore mostly back on track, although a lot of straw remains on the ground.

Pat Ryan, Liffey Mills, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

‘‘We’re down to the last 20% of the winter wheat here in Roscrea, and we’re ahead of that in Athy. About 10% of the spring barley is cut in Roscrea. The only cutting done in recent days was of wheat. Quality is still excellent across all crops, and there hasn’t been as much barley breaking down as last year. A few bean crops are cut.’’

Michael Fawle, CW Wynne’s, Tullow, Co Carlow

‘‘Spring barley is about finished and we have over 80% of the winter wheat cut. Quality has stood up remarkably well. Yields have been good. Spring barley ranged from 2.8t/ac to 3.5t/ac and winter wheat from 4t to 5t bushelling mid-70s. Beans are 10 days away, but we’re one big day away from wrapping up the main grain harvest.’’

Niall Griffey, Dairygold, Co Cork

‘‘We have 70% of the harvest complete; half the spring barley is in. Quality has slipped a little. We’re seeing fusarium in barley, and some sprouting is evident in spring wheat crops. Planet has yielded very well, lots of 3.5t crops, with Propino around 3.2t/ac. Winter wheat yielded well; following beans up to 5.5t/acre.’’